Mild Hybrid vs Full Hybrid vs Plug-in Hybrid (What’s the Difference?)
All models of hybrid cars have an internal combustion engine. What makes them different is how they use the power of the gasoline engine. Certain hybrids rely more on the gasoline engine than others.
Don’t confuse a hybrid with an electric car that doesn’t use a gasoline engine at all. The true definition of a hybrid is a car that uses both an electric motor and an internal combustion engine. It doesn’t matter how much or how little each person uses to provide electricity.
There are three main types of hybrid cars and trucks: mild hybrid, full hybrid, and plug-in hybrid. We’ll explain the differences between each type.
Types of Hybrid Cars
Mild Hybrid
A mild hybrid has an internal combustion engine and a small electric motor. When you step on the gas pedal in your car to accelerate, the internal combustion engine provides most of the power. The electric motor makes up for some of that power when you don’t need to drive very fast.
The main function of the electric motor in this type of hybrid is to power the battery whenever you brake. This way the battery can be charged. This battery cannot be charged by plugging it into an outlet; it is only charged by regenerative braking. Full Hybrid
Full hybrids have a much larger and more powerful electric motor than mild hybrids. The vehicle is powered by the electric motor, the internal combustion engine, or both simultaneously.
The exact energy source used in a given driving situation is determined by the vehicle’s advanced computer system. This system’s software can detect how fast and what you’re driving. Based on this, one or both of these energy sources will be used.
Full hybrids also have a more powerful battery that can be charged through regenerative braking or the internal combustion engine. Remember that the internal combustion engine powers the engine, which makes the engine a generator. Again, the battery in this vehicle is not plugged into a power outlet.
Plug-in Hybrid
Plug-in hybrids have one of the largest batteries because they use more electrical energy to drive. There are all-electric options, which can go up to 10 miles at a time without using gasoline at all.
If you’re driving short distances around town, you can use little to no gasoline for one trip. When you get home, you can plug the battery into a power outlet and charge it there. For longer trips, you can still take advantage of the full power of the gasoline engine.
Plug-in hybrids are essentially similar to full hybrids, but by plugging into a power outlet, you can charge the battery and travel 10 miles on electricity alone.
Conclusion
All of these types of hybrids are available from a variety of manufacturers. You can expect at least 40 to 50 miles per gallon. Of course, the more electricity you use during your trip, the less fuel you’ll use.
If you regularly travel short distances around town, you should go for a plug-in hybrid. Alternatively, a mild hybrid is also a good choice if you want to avoid the hassle of plugging in and charging the battery every night.
The most powerful hybrids are full hybrids. Although it has a small engine, it has the advantage of being able to run at both high and low speeds.